University of Dayton Athletics

FAIRBORN, Ohio – The University of Dayton volleyball team faltered against Ball State in its first game in the Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational (19-25, 23-25, 23-25).

The Flyers started the first set trailing Ball State, in large part due to attack errors. Trailing 23-13, Dayton surged back on a three-point run with a block from Abigail Cresse and Sidney Sprada and a kill by Charlotte Vinson, forcing a Cardinals timeout. Cresse and Vinson tallied a block out of the timeout. With Ball State at set point, Vinson and Kamryn Hunt tallied kills but were unable to lift the Flyers ahead.

Dayton started set two behind, tying the second set at seven apiece to start a four-point run. An ace for Hunt gave Dayton the lead, extending it on a block for Addi Gallentine and Sprada and a kill for the freshman for a 10-7 lead. The Flyers and Cardinals battled back and forth, with UD's offense running through Sprada to keep Dayton in it, but Dayton could not get past the Cardinals.

Ball State took an early 5-1 lead in the third set. Late in the third set, an ace from Natalie Harrington put Dayton within two at 19-17. The Cardinals kept out in front, but kills by Gabriela Machin Borges and Vinson held the set within two. A kill by Sydney Barrett and an attack error by Ball State made it a one-point set, but the Cardinals were able to take the match in straight sets.

BY THE NUMBERS
16 – Kills for Sidney Sprada, combining with a team-leading 16 digs for her second double-double

20 – Assists for Natalie Harrington

4 – Block assists for Abigail Cresse

2 – Block assists for Gabriela Machin Borges and Sidney Sprada

2 – Total blocks for Machin Borges

13 – Tie scores in the second set

UP NEXT
Dayton will play RV Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.